Courses

• General Kayaking
  • GKC Level 1
    Intro to Kayak
  • GKC Level 2
    Basic Kayak
  • BCU 2 Star Assessment
  • BCU Foundation Safety & Rescue Training
  • Pool Sessions
  • Workshops
• Sea Kayaking
  • BCU 3 Star Sea
    Training & Assessment
  • BCU 4 Star
    Sea Leader Training
  • Symposium
  • Rough Water Training
  • Coaching/Instructor Certification
• Whitewater Kayaking
  • Whitewater I
  • Whitewater II
  • Whitewater III
  • ACA Swiftwater Rescue

Courses

BCU (British Canoe Union) 2 Star Training & Assessment

BCU 2 Star Training

Geneva Kayak Center offers 2 separate courses that prepare paddlers for the BCU 2 Star assessment. GKC Level 2 is a kayak based course that covers the kayak elements of the 2 Star syllabus.

The second course that will prepare you for the BCU 2 Star Assessment is the GKC Level 2 Canoe course. Whether you just want to tune up your canoeing skills for a trip to the Boundary Waters, a run down the Vemillion or to become an overall better paddler, the Level 2 Canoe course is for you.

BCU 2 Star Training/GKC Level 2 is a course you will want to take more than once! It is a day of fun and learning that will prepare those paddlers for the BCU 2 Star Assessment course or just help you become a better paddler even if you never take an assessment.

There is far more in the 2 star syllabus than can be effectively covered in a single day so each 2 Star Training can be tailored to the needs of the group.

August 28 (as part of the 3 day BCU weekend)

See the GKC Level 2 and GKC Level 2 Canoe pages for prices and additional course dates

BCU 2 Star Assessment

Want to see how much you’ve learned and progressed with your paddling? The BCU 2 Star Assessment is a fun and relaxed day of paddling, in which you’ll receive feedback on how your skills compare to the BCU 2 Star standard and tips on how to improve! This assessment is for the new (as of 2008) BCU 2 Star award. The new 2 Star Award is a general paddlesports award in which candidates are assessed on fundamental flat water skills in both canoe and kayak. The assessment can be taken in any style of canoe or kayak including sit-on-tops, canoes, recreational kayaks, whitewater kayaks, and sea kayaks but some skills are assesed in both canoe and kayak.

The following skills are assessed during a 2 Star Assessment, which is held on calm, protected water

• Ability to swim 25 meters wearing a PFD
• Experience paddling two different types of craft (listed above) on two trips (any trip of 2 + hours duration)
• Paddling Skills: Lifting, Carrying and Launching the kayak and canoe; Efficient forward paddling; Steering the kayak or canoe, Maneuver in a confined space; Moving sideways; Preventing a capsize; Landing.
• Safety & Rescue: Capsize, Swim and Self Rescue; Assisted Rescue
• Safety & Group Skills: Personal Risk Management; Awareness of Others
• Theory: Paddlesports Equipment, Safety, First Aid, Access, Environment, Planning.

Course Location: Geneva Kayak Center - Lakefront

Cost: 99.00 Per Person (includes boat rental and gear)
         85.00 (Bring your own boat and gear) An additional fee payable to the BCU applies for those candidates that pass the assessment (required for entering the BCU coaching system)

Length: 4 Hours

Dates:June 7 (as part of the Windy City Kayak Symposium)

August 29 morning (as part of the 3 day BCU weekend)